Fall on the First Coast is almost in the rear view mirror and it’s time so start getting ready for the holidays. Lucky for us, Christmas light displays are all over Jacksonville during the holiday season! A great way to get out of the house or hotel for a bit of holiday spirit, there are a variety of places to check out the sparky holiday lights of the Bold City. From neighborhoods that get together to decorate to intricate drive-through attractions, there’s a host of light displays to choose from. If you’re looking for things to do during the holidays in Jacksonville, you’ve come to the right place.
Jacksonville Beach Deck The Chairs
A popular event throughout Jacksonville, Deck the Chairs is an annual event where different organizations sponsor and decorate lifeguard chairs in downtown Jacksonville Beach. The lights illuminate every night from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. from Nov. 21, to Jan. 1. The walk-through display is a favorite among visitors and locals alike. Free and open to the public, you can walk through the unique sculpture-like light displays that local organizations and businesses put together with different designs every year; bringing a fun touch of local pride to the Jacksonville Beaches.
Blackhawk Bluff Neighborhood
Located at 1430 Blackhawk Trail E, Jacksonville, Florida, the Blackhawk Bluff Neighborhood lights have become some of the most famous lights in the city over the past few years. Many residents that live in the neighborhood have been participating in the large display for over 15 years. Lights and large stars drape down from majestic trees throughout the neighborhood, bringing a sense of magic to the area as you drive through. There are no official start dates for this display, but in past years the neighborhood usually starts flickers to life around Thanksgiving.
Jax Illuminations
Jax Illuminations, located at the Morocco Shrine Center, is another staple of the Jacksonville Christmas light displays. Open every night from Nov. 19 to Jan. 2, 2021, Jax Illuminations is a drive through light display that features a wide variety of lights. From scene set-ups to light tunnels that you can drive straight through, the experience is gorgeous at every turn. Tuning into a local radio station as you drive through will also provide synced music for certain sections of the display.
Christmas on Crystal Springs
A display that was before featured on the Great Christmas Light Fight in 2014, Christmas on Crystal Springs is a light display put up by the Huffty family on an annual basis. With over 90,000 lights on show, this display has become a well-known Christmas time display. Starting with the intent for a bigger display in 2007, Christmas on Crystal Springs has only grown since then and is welcoming visitors back sometime in late November 2020. Check out their Facebook page for further updates on 2020’s display.
Whether you’re a local to Jacksonville or visiting the Bold City for the holiday season this year, be sure to check out some of the fantastic displays of Christmas lights that you can find all over the city. From the Westside to the Beaches, there are seasonal displays perfect for driving through or walking – whatever gets you in the holiday spirit!
